Dark money' legal but voters still entitled to know who supports candidates

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

By Charles Crummcharlie.crumm@oakpress.com; @crummc

Voters should know who’s spending money to back candidates or influence the outcome of political campaigns, says one longtime politician.

Republican Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson says that not disclosing donors is why some politicians, and groups, are criticized.

“I have a 501c4 and I do disclose my donors,” says Patterson. “Every year, anyone who wants to, I say, ‘Here’s my list.’

“I think that’s what got Snyder the Nerd Fund in trouble, and Schuette on Duty Fund in trouble because they chose to withhold the names,” he said.

A 501c4 refers to that section of the federal tax code that governs a fund that can endorse candidates and engage in political activity, but isn’t required to disclose who donates money.

Not disclosing donors has opened Gov. Rick Snyder and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to some criticism, Snyder most recently.

Patterson has his own 501c4 but discloses donors to whoever wants them.

“I don’t have George Soros out there writing me checks in some clandestine way,” says Patterson, jokingly referring to the wealthy businessman who has donated heavily to progressive and liberal causes.

Patterson is a Republican.“People who support me, I think, are proud to support me,” Patterson said. “They don’t mind being associated with me. I think some candidates are so hot right now that they’ll have a tough time raising money whether it’s disclosed or not disclosed.”